Liner hanger



SePt- 5, 1939 E. B. HALL Er Al. 2,171,847

LINER HANGER Filed Jan. 16, 1939 3 Sheets-Share?. 2 1E: 1- n El LS 42 4539 4f? 40 s; @OL/To@ g www,

Sept. 5, 1939. E. B. HALL Er Al.

LINER HANGER Filed Jan. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 5, 1939UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE Application January 1s, 1939, serial No.:51,071

13 Claims.

Thisdnventin relates to well tools and relates more particularly toiinerhangers for snpporting liners in wells. A general object of thisinvention is to providea simple, dependable and readily manipulatedliner hanger.

In conditioning an oil well for production it is the usual practice toinstall a tubular per.

movement when the liner is in the correct or selected position. In manycases the portion 4of the well. in which the liner is installed iscrooked or inclined to such an extent that the liner binds on the wallof the well and cannot be turned. Under such conditions it is diillcultand sometimes impossible to release the latch 2 5 Vmeans of the hangerto condition the slips for operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liner hanger that maybe easily and quickly operated and set with the liner free and turnableor with the liner held against turning by reason of the inclination orcontour of the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liner hanger thatrequires only simple manipulations of the setting string to eifect itsoperation. 1

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a liner hanger embodying anovel bearing means for permitting turning of the hanger relative to theliner to release the latch means of the slips` im and a novel releasablemeans initially holding the hanger and liner against relative turning sothat the slips cannot be unintentionallyor .prematurely actuated whilelowering and poaltioning the liner. '1-

4 5 Another object of this invention is to -provide a liner hanger ofthe character referred to in which the releasable mean's for initiallypreventing relative turning between the liner and hanger is released bya go-devil or weight dropped v to through the setting string, saidweight being recovered from the well when the setting string iswithdrawn following the actua/tion of the hanger. z.V

A further object of this invention is to pross 'vide a linerhanger ofthe character referred to that is adapted to be installed at the lowerend of the liner to support the liner from its lower end.

The various objects and features of our invention will be fullyunderstood from the following 5 detailed description oftypical-preferred forms andl applications ofthe invention, throughoutwhich description reference is made to the vaccompanying drawings, inwhich: L

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the 10 invention in the normalor unactuated condition and associated with a typical liner and settingstring in aj typical well. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentarylongitudinal detailed sectional view of the principal parts of thedevice illustrated l5 in Fig. 1 showingthe parts in the normal orunactuated positions. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustratingthe positions of the parts following the setting or actuation of thehanger. Fig.A 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal 20 detailedsectional view illustrating the rotatable connection and the associatedreieasable holding means with the parts in the initial positions. Fig. 5is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated byline 5-5 on Fig. 2. g5 Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse detailedsectional view taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 3. Fig. 'l is anenlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line1-1 on Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse de- 30 tailed sectionalviewtaken as indicated by line 0-8 on Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a fragmentarylongitudinal detailed sectional view of the upper portion of anotherembodiment of the invention illustrating the hanger attached to thelower end 35 of the liner and showing the setting string in elevation.Fig. l0 is a view, similar to Fig. 9

` liner hanger set or actuated.

The tool of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1

.to 8, inclusive, of the drawings is applied'to the upper end of atypical well line L and is employed to suspend theliner from the wellcasing C. The apparatus of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8,inclusive, maybe said to comprise, generally, the liner L, a hange'r Hconditioned or released for operation by turning movement, a rotatableconnection Il between the liner L and the hanger H allowing turning 'ofthe. hanger relative to the liner L to condition the hanger foractuation and releasable means l I for holding the liner L- and thehanger H against relative tluming.; u

cordance with the usual practice. In the drawings We have shown only theupper portion of the liner L extending through the casing C. In

the particular construction illustrated a short tubular section I2 isprovided on the upper end of the liner L and is connected with the linerproper by a threaded coupling I3.

The hanger H is adapted to grip the interiorof the casing C to supportor suspend the liner L in the selected position. In the form of theinvention being described the hanger H is associated with the upper endof the liner L. 'Ihe hanger H includes an elongate tubular body I4arranged in co-axial relation with the liner L. A suitable setting tooladapter I5 is threadedly connected with the upper end of the hanger bodyI4 to facilitate the installation of the' hanger and liner L. T or Jslots I5 are provided in the wall of the adapter I5 and enter theadapterfrom its upper end. The inner or lower arms of the slots I5terminate in upwardly and downwardly extending branches I1. A mandrel I8is adapted to enter the adapter I5 and has lugs I9 for cooperating withthe slots I8 and their branches I1. The Setting tool mandrel I8 issecured to the lower end of a tubular setting string 28 for lowering theliner L and the hanger H into the well.

The hanger H further includes slip means for gripping the interior ofthe casing C. This slip means includes a cone 2i surrounding the body I4below the adapter I5. The cone may be shiftable on the body I4. A pin 22on the body I4 may extend into a vertical slot 23 in the cone 2I to holdthe cone against turning relative to the body and to limit the verticalshifting of the cone. A packing ring assembly 24 may be provided on thebody I4 between the lower end of the adapter I5 and the upper end of thecone 2I. The packing ring assembly 24 is expanded into sealingengagement with the casing C when the weight of the liner L istransmitted through it from the adapter I5 to the cone 2|. A set ofslips 25 is engaged about the cone 2|. The slips 25 have shiftabledove-tailed connections 25 -with the cone 2I to be held againstdisplacement and turning movement with respect to the cone and body I4.The outer sides of the slips 24- are toothed to effectively gril) theinner wall of the Well casing C.

A releasable latch means is provided to control the slips 25. 'I'helatch means for the slips 25 includes a ring 21 freely shiftable on thesection I2 of the liner L. Spring reins 28 are secured to the lower endsof the slips 25 and extend downwardly to the ring 21. 'Ihe reins 28 areattached to the ring 21 so that the several slips 25 are connected withthe ring. Downwardly projecting latches 29 on the ring 21 releasablycooperate with the pins 30 projecting from the liner section I2. Thelatches 29 are hook-like elements releasably engageable with the pins 30to hold the slips 25y in their down or retracted positions illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The latches 29 may be freed from thepins 38 by a turning movement followed by a vertical movement. The reinshave outwardly bent or curved portions 3| below the ring 21. The reinportions 3| frictionally engage against the inner wall of the casing Cto resist downward movement of the slips 25. The slip reins 28 may passthrough vertical grooves 32 in the exterior of the hanger body I4. Theengagement of the reins 28 in the grooves 32 assists in preventingturning movement of the slips 25 and aids in supporting the reins 28against turning forces.

The swivel connection or rotatable connection I0 secures'the hanger H tothe upper end of the liner L in such a manner that the hanger H may beturned relative to the liner L to release the latches 29 from the pins30 to condition the slips I5 for actuation. The rotatable connection I0is preferably in the nature of an anti-friction bearing connection. Inthe form of the invention being described the connection IIl includes asub or tubular member 33 threadedly'connected with the upper end of theliner section I2 and extending into a socket 34 in the lower end of thehanger body I4. 'I'he wall of the socket 34 and the exterior of themember 33 have registering ball races 35 and a series of balls 36 isarranged in the races 35 to rotatably connect the hanger H with theliner L. The balls 36 may be inserted in the races 35 through a radialopening 31 in the hanger body I4. A plug 38 normally closes the opening31. It will be apparent how the balls 36 arranged in the races 35connect the liner L and the hanger H against longitudinal movement andseparation and allow free relative turning between the hanger and liner.

The releasable meansy I I serves to connect the liner L and the hanger Hagainst relative turning so that the equipment may be run into the wellwithout danger of prematurely releasing and setting the slips S. Themeans II includes or provides sets or pairs of registering openings 33and 40 in the walls of the overlapping or telescoping portions of themember 33 and the hanger body I4, respectively. In practice the openings40 may be in the nature of notches in the lower end of the body I4. Thelower walls of the openings 39 preferably slope downwardly and inwardly'as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. The means IIfurther includes shiftable pins or blocks 4I in the sets of registeringopenings 39 and 40. The blocks 4I may be suiliciently long to extendcompletely through the sets of openings 39 and 40 and to project fromthe inner wall of the member 33. The outer portions of the blocks 4I arepreferably longitudinally curved so that the blocks may be drawndownwardly and inwardly from the openings 40. Pins 42 are arranged inopenings43 in the member 33 and pass through transverse curved slots 44in the blocks 4I to prevent loss or detachment of the blocks from themember 33. Fingers 45 of reduced thickness may be provided on the outerends of the blocks 4I to extend into slots 46 in the adjacent slip reins28. The engagement of the fingers 45 in the slots 46 positivelylocks theslips 25 in their retracted positions. v

The shiftable lock blocks 4I are connected by a link 41. 'I'he link 41may be in the nature of a leaf spring riveted or otherwise secured innotches 48 in the inner ends of the blocks 4I. The spring link 41 isnormally straight and serves to hold the blocks 4I in their outermostpositions where they extend through the registering openings 39 and 40.It will be seen that the blocks 4I engaged in the openings 39 and 40prevent relative turning between the hanger body I4 and the liner L.

The releasable means II is adapted to be released by a go-devil orweight element 50y dropped through the tubular setting string 20. Theelement 56 is proportioned to readily pass downwardly through the string20 and'through the hanger body |4. The lower end of the element 56 isadapted to engage the link 41 or the inner parts of the blocks 4| todraw the blocks downwardly and inwardly to positions such as illustratedin Fig. 3 of the drawings where they are clear of the openings 40 in thehanger body I4. A' head 5| is provided on the upper end of the weightelement 50.to assist in guiding the element through the string S. Theadapter I8 is preferably provided with an internal upwardly facingshoulder 52, adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the head 5|. Inthe event 'that the weight element 50 strikes the blocks. 4| withsuiicient force to break the link 41 the head 5| may come intoengagement with the shoulder 52 to limit the downward travel of theelement 50. The shoulder 52 is adapted to engage the head 5| to lift andsupport the elem'ent 56 so that the element is removed from the wellupon withdrawal of the setting string 26. It is preferred to provide acentral longitudinal passage 53 in the weight element 56 to permit thefree flow of fluid through the element.

The invention may include means for resisting turning of the liner L tofacilitate the release and actuation of the slips 25 when the conditionof the well is such that the liner is otherwise free for turningmovement. This means may be in the form of a tail piece secured to theupper section I2 of the liner. As illustrated in thc drawings verticallyspaced rings 54 may be welded or otherwise xed to the liner section Land outwardly bowed leaf springs 55 may extend between the rings 54. Thesprings 55 are adapted to frictionally bearragainst the inner wall ofthe casing C to resist turning of the liner L.

In the use and operation of the form of the inv vention illustrated inFigs. 1 to 8 of the drawings the liner L is made up and the hanger H isccnnected with its upper end. The rotatable ccnnection ||l is employedto connect the hanger H with the liner L. The mandrel |8 on the lowerend of the string 20 is inserted in the adapter I5 and its lugs I9 areengaged in the vertical slot branches |1 so that the assembly of thehanger H and the liner L may be lowered into the well on the string 20.When the liner L has reached the selected position in the well thego-devil or weight element 59 is dropped through the string 20. Thelower end of the element 50 strikes the link 41 or the blocks 4| to drawthe blocks downwardly and inwardly to positions such as illustrated inFig. 3 of the drawings. The engagement of the weight element 56 with thelink 41 or the blocks 4| may cause bending cf the spring link 41 withoutfracturing the link. The downward and inward movement of the blocks 4|retracts the blocks'from the openings 46 and draws the ngers`45 out ofthe slots 46.

When the means has been released as just described, the string 20 isturned in adirection to disengage the latches 29 from the pins 30 and isthen lowered to actuate the slps 25. The rotatable connection Ill allowsthe hanger H to be freely turned with respect to the liner Lto effectthe disengagement ofl the latches 29 from the pins 3U. Accordingly, insituaticns where the liner L is held against turning by reason cf thecontour of the well the hanger H may be easily conditioned foractuation. When the string '20 is lowered, as described above, the ccne2| forces the slips 25l outwardly into gripping engagement with; thecasing C. The string 26 may then be the casing C.

manipulated to free the lugs I9 from the slots I6 and the string 20 maybe withdrawn from the well. As described above, the go-devil or element50 is removed from the well, together with the string 20. Upon thedisengagement of the string 5 2|! from the hanger H the weight of theliner L is imposed on the slips 25 through the medium of the adapter I5,the packing ring assembly 24 and the cone 2|. The weight transmittedthrough the packing ring assembly 24 compresses the assembly so that it.eiectively seals with the interior of the casing C.. `The slips 25 areadapted to dependably suspend the liner from the casing C. In the eventthat it `becomes 'desirable or necessary to remove the liner L from theAwell a string 26 carrying an adapter I8 may be run into the well toengage thelugs I9 in the slots I6 and the string maybe raised to pullthe liner L and the hanger H from the well. If desired the recoverystring 20 may be manipulated to re-engage the latches 29 with thepins 30before withdrawing the hanger H and the liner L from the well.

Figs. 9, and 11 of the drawings illustrate a. form of the inventionwherein a liner L is supported from its lower end in a well casing C.The embodiment of our invention illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 may besaid to comprise, generally, the liner L', a support or hanger H' forsupporting the liner L' in the casing C', a rotatable connection 56between the liner L and the hanger H', a tool T releasably engaged inthe hanger H for lowering the liner L' and the hanger Hf into the welland means 51 holding the liner L' and the hanger H against relativeturning releasable to permit turning of the hanger relative to the linerto condition the hanger for actuation.

The liner LT is an elongate' tubular perforate member or assemblyintended for installation in The upper end of the liner L is preferablyprovided with a head or guide 58 for centralizing the liner in thecasing C'. A collar 59 is threaded on the lower end of the liner' L' andcarries a lower section 69. The lower liner section 60 is a tubularmember and is preferably larger in internal diameter .than the linerproper L.

The hanger H' is adapted to support the liner L' in the well casing C Inaccordance with the invention the hanger H is designed to be applied tothe lower end of the liner L. In the 50 construction illustrated thehanger H' includes an elongate tubular body 6|. -The upper portion ofthe hanger body 6| is rotatably received in the lower liner section 60.A cone 62 is welded or otherwise secured to the hanger body 6| below 55the liner section 60 and a set of slips 63 is engaged on the. cone 62.The outer sides of the slips 63 are toothed to eiectively grip theinterior of the casing C. A suitable guide head 64 may be pro-g vided onthe lower end of the hanger body 6|..

vThe hanger H' further includes a control for the slips 63. This controlincludes vertically spaced rings 65 shiftable on the hanger body 6| andpositioned between the cone 62 and the head 64. Outwardly bowed leafsprings 66 extend be- ,65 tween and are secured to the rings 65. 'Ihesprings 66 are adapted to frictionally engage the interior ofthe casingC' to resist movement of the rings 65 in the casing. Spring reins 61connect the lower ends of the slips 63 with the upper 70 ring 65 so thatthe engagement of the springs 66 with the casing C' may resist movementof the slips 63 when the cone 62 moves verticallyr to actuate the slips.Hook-like latches 66 dei pendfrom the upper ring and releasably co- 76operate with pins 68 on the body 6I. The engagementof the latches 68with the pins 69 holds the slips 63 in their down or retracted positionsclear of the casing C'. The pins 68 are adapted to be released from thelatches 68 by a turning movement of the hanger body 6I followed by avertical movement of the body.

The rotatable connection 56 serves to connect the liner L with the body6| of the hanger H so that the body 6| may be turned independently ofthe liner L' to effect the release of the pins 69 from the latches 68.'Ihe rotatable connection 56 is preferably in the nature of anantifriction bearing means. lustrated vertically spaced sets ofregistering annular ball races 18 are provided in the exterior of thehanger body 6| and the interior of the lower liner section 68. Series ofballs 1| are arranged in the registering races 18. The balls 1| connectthe hanger body 6| and the liner L' for free relative turning andoperate to connect the hanger H and the liner L' against relativelongitudinal movement and separation.

The tool T is employed to lower the assembly of the liner L and thehanger H' into the well and to manipulate the hanger H' to release andactuate the same. of a releasable grappling tool, for example, it may bea releasable spear. In the case illustrated in the drawings the tool Tincludes a mandrel 12 secured to the lower end of a tubular settingstring 13. 'I'he mandrel 12 is tubular, having a central longitudinalopening 14. The lower portion of the mandrel 12 is tapered and ofincreased diameter, being in the form of a wedge 16. A sleeve 16 isshlftable on the mandrel 12 and carries slips 11 engaged about the wedge15. The slips 11 are integral parts of the sleeve 16 and tend to springinwardly against the wedge 15 through their resiliency. Outwardly bowedleaf springs18 are secured to the sleeve 12 and are adapted tofrictionally engage in the hanger body 6|. A latch control is providedfor the slips 11 of the tool T. A pin 19 is xed to the mandrel 12 andshifts in one of the slots 88 occurring between the spaced slips 11. Alateral groove 8| is provided in the inner side of one of the slips 11'and is adapted to receive the pin 19. When the pin 19 is in the lateralgroove 8| the slips 11 are retained in their retracted positions.`

When the pin 19 is in the upper portion of the slot 88, as illustratedin Figs. 10 and 11, the wedge 15 actuates the slips 11 outwardly intoeiective gripping and supporting engagement with thel interior of thehanger body 6|. The tool T is preferably engaged in the upper portion ofthe hanger body 6|, as illustrated in the drawings. The gripping teeth82 of the slips 11 are cut both vertically and horizontally so that thetool T is Operable t0 transmit turning movement to the "I go-devil orelement 81 is withdrawn from the well hanger body 6I as well aslongltudinalmovement.

Themeans 51 is provided to prevent relative turning between the liner L'and the hanger H' when the liner is being run into the well andpositioned. The means 51 is releasable to allow turning of the hangerbody 6| relative to the liner L to effect they release "of the pins 69from the latches 68 so that the slips 63 maybe set to support the linerL'. In accordance with the invention the means 51. may be similar to themeans described above, and may comprise.

In the construction il- 'I'he tool T is in the nature ings 83 and 84 arespaced below the lowermost pair of ball races 18 of the means 56.Shiftaole blocks are arranged in the registering openings 83 and 84 andare connected by a spring link 86. The link 86 serves to hold the blocks85 in positions where they extend completely through the openings 83 andinto the openings 84 to dependably prevent turning of the body hanger 6|relative to the liner section 68.

'I'he means 51 is releasable by 'a go-devil or weight element 81 droppedthrough the setting string 13. The element 81 is adapted to pass downthrough the opening 14 in the mandrel 12 to have its lower end strikethe block 85 or the link 86. ilex the link 86 and to move the blocks 85downwardly and inwardly to positions such as illustrated in Fig. l1where they are clear of the openings 84 in the liner section 68. Pins81L carried by the hanger body 6| may pass through slots in the blocks85 to prevent the loss or detachment of the blocks.

It is believed that the operation of the equipment illustrated in Figs.9, 10 and 11 will be readily understood from the foregoing detaileddescription. The tool T is adapted to be inserted in the hanger body 6Iand actuated to grip the body so that the assembly of the hanger H andthe liner L' may be run into the well on the setting string 13. The pins69 are initially engaged in the latches 68 to hold the slips 63retracted and the blocks 85 engage in the openings 83 and 84 to preventrelative turning between the liner L' and the hanger body 6| so that thepins 69 cannot become disengaged from the latches 68. Accordingly, thereis no danger of the slips 63 being unintentionally actuated when thetool or assembly is being run into the well. When the liner L' is in theselected position the go-d'evil or weight element 81 is dropped throughthe string 13. The A lower end of the element 81 strikes the blocks 85or the link` 86, or both, to retract the blocks 65 from the openings 84.The string 13 may then be turned to turn the hanger body 6| and releasethe pins 6!)Y from the latches 68. The springs 66 serve to hold thelatches 68 against turning at this time. It is to be observed that thehanger body 6| may be freely turned relative to the liner L' by means ofthe string 13 and the tool T. Accordingly, thenon-rotatable engagementof the liner L'4 in a crooked hole or crooked casing C' does notinterfere with the release of the latch pins 69. Upon thearelease of thelatch pins 69 from the latches 68 the string 13 is moved downwardly orallowed to settle so that the cone 62 expands the slips 63 outwardlyinto gripping engagement with the casing C'. The string 13 is thenlowered and turned to permit retraction of the slips 11 and to latch theslips 11 retracted, whereupon the string 13 and the tool T maybe'withdrawn from the well. The

Having described only typical preferred forms al and applications of ourinvention, we d'o not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves anyvariations or modiiications that may appear to those skilled in the artor fall within 7 the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. Inr combination, a well liner, a hanger for supporting the liner inthe well and conditioned for operation by turning movement, a tubular'The weight element 81 is adapted 'to u setting string connected with thehanger, a rotatable connection between the liner and hanger, and meansholding the hanger against turning relative to the liner releasable byan object passed through the string.

2. Means for installing a liner in a well comprising a hanger forsupporting the liner in the -well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connectionbetween the hanger and liner allowing suchturning movement of the hanger, an object to be dropped into the well,and means lpreventing relative turning between the liner and lia-ngerreleasable by said object to allow conditioning and actuation of thehanger.

3. Means for installing a liner in a Well comprising a hanger forsupporting the liner in the well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connection between the hanger and liner allowing suchturning movement of the hanger, a tubular string connected with thehanger for lowering the hanger and liner into the well, an object to bepassed down through the string, and releasable means preventing turningo f the hanger relative to the liner releasable by said object to allowconditioning and actuation of the hanger.

4. Means for installing a liner in a well comprising a hanger forsupporting the liner in the well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connection between the hanger and' liner allowingsuch turning movement of the hanger, an object to be dropped into thewell, and means preventing relative turning between the liner and hangerreleasable by said object to allow conditioning and actuation of thehanger,r

the last named means including surfaces on the liner and hanger, and amember engaging said surfaces and movable by said object to a positionfree of one of said surfaces.

5. Means for installing a liner in a well comprising a hanger forsupporting the liner in the well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connection between the hanger and liner allowing suchturning movement oi the hanger, an object to be d'ropped into the well,and means preventing relative turning between the liner and hangerreleasable by said object to allow conditioning and actuation of thehanger, the last named means including walls on the liner and hangerdefining registering openings, and a shiftable member engaged in saidopenings and movable by said object to a position free from at least oneof said openings.

6. Means for installing a liner in a well comprising a hanger forsupporting the 'liner in the well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connection between the hanger and liner allowing suchturning movement of the hanger, a tubular string connected with thehanger for lowering the hanger and liner into the well, an object to bepassed down through the string, and releasable means preventing turningof the hanger relative to the liner releasable by said object to allowconditioning and actuation of` the hanger, the last named meansincluding walls on the liner and hanger defining sets of registeringopenings, shiftable blocks in the opening, and a link connecting theblocks,

the assembly of the blocks andilink being in the' hanger havingtelescopically related parl ts, means associated with said partsconnecting the liner and hanger for relative turning, a tubular settingstring releasably connected with the liner, said parts having openings,a shiftable member in said openings holding the hanger against turningrelative to the liner, and an object ladapted to be dropped through thestring to Asaid parts having opposite sets of registering openings,blocks in the sets of openings, a flexible linkconnecting the blocks andextending across the' interior oi* the innermost part, and an object tobe run through the string to engage the assembly of the blocks and linkto withdraw the blocks from openings in one of the said parts.

9. Means for installing a liner in a well comprising a hanger forsupporting'the liner in the well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connection between the hanger and the upper end ofthe liner allowing such turning of the hanger, parts on the liner andhanger having openings, and releasable means preventingA turning of thehanger relative to the body comprising a member engaged in said openingsand adapted to be released by an object run into the well.

10. Means i'or installing a liner in a well comprisingV a hanger forsupporting the liner in the well conditioned for operation by turningmovement, a swivel connection between the hanger and the lower end oftheliner allowing such turning of the hanger relative to the liner, thehanger and liner having telescopically related tubular parts providedwith aligned transverse openings, a tubular setting string extendingthrough the liner and releasably connected with the hanger, a shiitablemember extending into the `openings to hold the hanger against turningrelative to the body, and an element to be dropped through the string toshift the member to a position free of the opening in one of said partsto i'ree the hanger from turning.

Y 11. Apparatus for supporting a liner in a well comprising a hangerbody, a swivel connection between the body and liner, slip means carriedby the bodyoperable to grip the wall of the well to support the liner,latch means holding to support the liner, latch-A means holding the yslip means retracted and releasable byiturning oi' the body, parts onthe body extending one around theother and having openings, releasablemeans. engaged in the openings and hold- -ingl the body vagainst turningrelative to the liner, 'a "tubular-setting string releasably conn nectedwith .the body, and a weight element to be dropped through the stringand engageable with the reieasable means to release the same.

13. Apparatus for supporting a liner in a well comprising a hanger body,a swivel connection between the body and liner, slipmeans carried by thebody operable to grip the wall of the weil to support the liner, latchmeans holding the slip means retracted and releasable by turning of thebody, parts on the body extending one around the other and havingopenings, releasable means engaged in the openings and holding the bodyagainst turning relative to the liner, a. tubular setting string, agrappling tool on the string releasably engaged in the body, and aweight element to be dropped through the string to release thereleasable means.

ELWIN B. HALL.

ARTHUR L. ARMENTROUT.

